Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Ok, so I may be a few days late, but you still love me, right? Anywho, I'm excited for a new year to try new things (recipes, products, etc.), make new resolutions, and strive to be a better me.

Here are some goals I have:

1. Cycle a century. 100 miles in 1 day.
2. Take part in at least one multi-day bike ride.
3. Go backpacking/camping for at least one weekend.
4. Run a 10K trail race.
5. Eat a healthy, balanced diet with LOTS of fruits and veggies.

I'll be sure to share when I accomplish these goals. Do you have any resolutions for the new year? If so, I wish you the best in your journey! Carpe diem!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas all! I hope your holiday season is filled with good food, family, and friends. Mine has been. :-) I am looking forward to another year with you all. Here are some winter pictures I took while visiting my parents in Iowa. What a stunning winter wonderland!

SodaStream Review!

As a member of HouseParty.com, I recently received a complimentary SodaStream along with a party pack. I love that the SodaStream creates carbonated beverages in an affordable, sustainable way. Below are pictures from the party I brought my Soda Stream too. People enjoyed learning about how the SodaStream worked and trying a few different flavors. 

Above is the cake I baked with some homemade frosting, that turned out more like a glaze since I added a wee bit too much milk. Live and learn!

Chobani Greek Yogurt Review!

I love Chobani yogurt and am a huge fan. They keep introducing new products, and I am happy to share some of the new products I was sent to sample with you today. Chobani Greek yogurt is delicious, preservative-free, and healthy. It still boggles my mind when I introduce people to Greek yogurt who have never tried it before. If you're among that group of people, do give Chobani a try - you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Below are some of Chobani's new products and flavors that I reviewed:

Honey Ginger Bite: 9.5 of 10. This was so unique! I am a huge fan of ginger and loved this. I liked the pairing of honey and ginger. The flecks of ginger were a perfect addition.

Key Lime Blended: 10 of 10! I absolutely loved this flavor! I don't normally enjoy key lime, but this was a perfectly rich, thick, natural, and sweet flavor that tasted like a rich dessert - this is definitely a healthier option than key lime pie though.

Orange Vanilla Blended: 7.5 of 10. This flavor was okay, but the vanilla seemed to overpower the orange flavor and therefore I found it a little dull compared to their other options. To fully enjoy this flavor, I'd recommend some mix-ins or using this in a smoothie. Then you'll be golden.

Peachy Pistachio Flip: 9 of 10. I would have never come up with this flavor combo myself (peach, pistachio, and dark chocolate), but Chobani pulls it off. It's very flavorful, and all the flavors come through.

Blueberry Power Flip: 9.5 of 10. Blueberry is a standard flavor, but the addition of walnuts and hemp and chia seeds packs an extra punch... maybe that's why 'power' is in the name. (pictured below)

Almond Coco Loco Flip: 9.5 of 10. Almonds, coconut, and dark chocolate? This is dessert! What a lovely pairing of flavors. I'm a fan of these flips. (pictured below)

Tropical Escape Flip: 9 of 10. This treat is most definitely an escape. I could close my eyes and picture myself upon a sunny beach. While I enjoyed the yogurt more so than the toppings, I found the whole thing to be tasty, crunchy, and filling with a well-balanced pairing of pineapple and coconut.

So, what are you waiting for? Head to your local grocery store and try out some of Chobani's new products! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Gfreely Review: Healthy, Gluten Free Food Delivered to Your Door!

Greetings! Do you follow a gluten-free diet? Do you have friends who are gluten-free? Do you enjoy gluten-free goodies? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you need to take a look at Gfreely.

Gfreely "makes a healthy, sustainable gluten-free lifestyle simple, accessible and fun for consumers all over the world." They sell  monthly subscription boxes, have an online shop, and even share recipes and helpful tips! Learn more at their website!

I was sent one of their monthly subscription boxes, and below are all of the great treats that were included! What a deal! Especially with prices starting at just $24 per month. 

I enjoyed each and every one of the gluten-free snacks included in the box, and even had the chance to share a few items with others who also loved the food. I was happy to be introduced to a variety of brands and products without needing to seek them out for myself. Now I know what products I enjoy most and can buy them on their own. Gfreely's monthly subscription box is a fun and helpful service. I encourage you to take a closer look at Gfreely - you won't be disappointed.

One more reason to take a look at Gfreely: You can get $5 OFF the monthly subscription! Just use the code BLOGGF5 when you order.

Enjoy!

Homemade Applesauce

One activity I look forward to during Autumn is picking apples. I also love eating and cooking/baking with them. I have never made homemade applesauce though, so I finally decided to try my hand at it.

To my surprise, it was not hard at all! You simply peel, cut, and core the apples, pour them into a pot with a bit of water, and then simmer for around an hour or more, stirring occasionally. I also added a fair amount of cinnamon towards the end of the process because I love it. :-)

Have you ever made homemade applesauce? Do you have any tips or tricks?

After making mine, I did freeze about half of it. I love being able to freeze food - so convenient!

Biena Foods Roasted Chickpeas Review!

Have you ever tried roasted chickpeas? A number of my friends have not, but I was able to introduce a few of them to this delicious and nutritious snack by sharing my samples from Biena Foods. They found the roasted chickpeas to be crunchy and nutty, which is a great description! I just love how satisfying they are. I received the four flavors below to sample:

Biena Foods does an excellent job of describing their flavors, so I'll include their descriptions below:

Cinnamon Maple: Bold Vietnamese Cinnamon, a touch of Pure Maple Syrup and Evaporated Cane Juice. They’re sweet enough to satisfy those sweet cravings, without being too sweet.

Honey Roasted: Real wildflower honey rounded out with sea salt for a sweet and slightly salty taste experience.

Sea Salt: Lightly dusted with sea salt harvested from the Atlantic Ocean. The original crunchy roasted chickpea snack that started our brand!

Barbeque: Classic BBQ flavor with tangy, sweet, spicy, and smokey undertones that is sure to keep you satisfied. See these in the picture below!

I love that these roasted chickpeas are made with all-natural ingredients. They are low in fat and are a good source of protein and fiber.

My favorite flavor was a tie between the Honey Roasted and the Barbeque. I loved the sweet and salty taste of the Honey Roasted and enjoyed how much the Barbeque flavor reminded me of BBQ chips, and yet these are so much better for me!

Try Biena Foods Roasted Chickpeas for yourself, and find them on Facebook and Twitter!

Pro Compression Giveaway Winner!

The lucky winner of the PRO Compression Giveaway, according to random.org, was number 6, Daniel Budsy!!

Thanks to all who entered! Stay tuned for some more great reviews and giveaways coming soon.

PRO Compression Socks Review and Giveaway!

Have you heard of compression socks? What about PRO Compression Socks? I am VERY glad to have the opportunity to review a pair of PRO Compression Marathon Socks, pictured below. 

So, why compression socks? Because "compression technology helps improve blood flow, resulting in better, more consistent performance with less fatigue and faster, more efficient recovery. In addition to improving vascular performance, Marathon compression socks provide support to critical muscles and tendons, helping reduce inflammation and soreness."

I wore the marathon socks after a hilly 35 mile bike ride and found they really did reduce my soreness. These socks are very comfortable and even have moisture control and a non-slip design. These socks do not fall down! I look forward to running in these socks and wearing them after tough workouts.

I think my calves may be a bit large, as you can see through the pink socks to my skin in the picture above. :-)

Interested in a pair of marathon socks or sleeves for yourself? Use this coupon code: PCBLG for 40% off socks and sleeves!

You also have a chance to win a pair of PRO Compression Marathon socks through a giveaway here (sponsored by TEAM PRO Compression). The giveaway will close on Sept. 16.

To enter, simply follow PRO Compression on Twitter or like PRO Compression on Facebook. Leave a comment below with your twitter name or Facebook name.

For an extra entry, link to this giveaway on Twitter (Win a pair of @PROCompression socks! Giveaway hosted by @cygirl88 at http://foodfotosandfun.blogspot.com/2013/09/pro-compression-socks-review.html) and/or follow my blog. Leave a comment for each below.

Thanks! Best of Luck!

The Skin Regime 1-4-All Peel Review and Giveaway!

Greetings! Do you remember when I reviewed The Skin Regime? Well, I am back this time to review the 1-4-All Peel! It works for EVERY skin type (except those with severe issues or diseases) and EVERY skin color. For a mild peel, you just put on 1 layer. Each additional layer increases the strength for those who want a stronger peel. Hence the name "1-4-All." The peel has glycolic and a pinch of TCA. It will reverse sun damage, lighten dark spots, reduce acne, even out your skin tone, tighten pores, and reduce fine lines. How awesome?! This is just like the expensive salon peels, but more like what dermatologists use in their offices.

I tried this peel earlier this week and am quite happy with the results! It is very easy to apply at home. I did just 1 layer for a mild peel and didn't experience too much redness. Afterwards my skin was noticeably smoother, which is awesome. I definitely think this peel can be a great addition to your skin routine! Of course, I also recommend The Skin Regime book for additional tips and information about beauty products and skin care. The book explains why most products are actually a huge waste of time and money. The book shares how to create a personalized regime based on products and advice most dermatologists recommend for their patients.

Now for the giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a a sample of the new 1-4-All Peel and a free copy of The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin! I'll choose the winner on August 19.

To enter, email giveawaywinner007@gmail.com and state why you're interested in trying the 1-4-All Peel.

For additional entries, comment below if you post about this giveaway on your blog, if you follow my blog, and/or if you add my blog to your blogroll.

Thanks and best of luck!

CONGRATS to Karrie, our winner!